MIDDLETON, IDAHO – At the top of Amy Cook’s favorite TV shows to watch is “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.” In fact, the John Day resident says it’s the only program she watches.

Recently, Cook had the opportunity of a lifetime when her sister, Alison Woodbury of Eagle, asked if she wanted to volunteer with her on the set of the reality TV series in nearby Middleton.

Cook jumped at the chance. She likes that the show is all about people helping others through tragic times.

During the hour-long program, viewers see Ty Pennington and his design crew and hundreds of volunteers take down a house and build a new one, all in one week, for a family in need. A different U.S. city is chosen each time.

She volunteered on July 17 for a six-hour shift, the day before the family came home.

A red country-style house with white trim was built for the Stockdale family – mother, father and four children ages 2 to 6. The family was chosen because the children have eosinophilic esophagatis, a rare white blood cell disorder, Cook said, noting that the younger ones have to be tube-fed.

The Stockdale children spend a lot of time in hospitals racking up medical bills, and many problems with their old home worsened the symptoms of their illness, Cook said, such as poor ventilation and a leaky basement.

While their new home was being constructed the family was sent to visit a specialist who could help the children – usually, Extreme Makeover families are sent on vacations.

Corey Barton Homes built the new house, which included a ventilation system throughout the house, keeping the air clean for the kids, Cook said, and special playground set up in the back with lots of cushion for any falls.

“When I first got there they had me carry a huge drink container,” she said. “The BSU football team was there helping carry furniture, then they had us help carry all the little stuff – candles, lamps and dishes.”

As she was taking some items outside, Cook and another helper passed Pennington, the star of the show, and asked for his autograph.

“Ty is very friendly,” Cook said, “I was surprised, because there were so many people who wanted his attention.” For example, one volunteer told Pennington what the room should look like, Cook said. “He listened kindly but did what he had already planned.”

At one point during filming, the head designer grabbed the camera, showing all the volunteers and said, “This is why I can never get any work done.”

The kitchen was Pennington’s “secret” room – he chooses one room during each episode that he alone designs.

While Cook liked the kitchen, her favorite was the “Star Wars” bedroom belonging to the oldest Stockdale boy. A CBH Homes assistant told her that actor Mark Hamill, who played Luke Skywalker, donated memorabilia for the room.

One part of the experience that took her by surprise was how many retakes were done, since the reality show looks so spontaneous on TV. Also, the community donates nearly everything including labor, food and building supplies.

When the family came home the next day, Cook brought three of her five children to watch. It was difficult to see the action through the crowd, so she hoisted her children on her shoulders one at a time to have a look.

Her son, Kyle, saw Mrs. Stockdale fall to the ground in excitement.

Cook said she’s looking forward to seeing the show on TV in October, when it’s expected to be on the air.

“They are so creative,” she said. “I was able to go through the whole house and look at everything. It was a really neat experience.”